Tips & Advice

Light-duty lawn carts have a "V" or hopper shaped bottom and can be used for bulky materials such as tools or shrubs
as well as seed fertilizer, etc. These metal and plastic carts are manufactured in 3 and 4 cu. ft. capacities and will
tip flush to the ground for emptying.

Increased gardening activity has brought larger capacity hand carts with flat bottoms into the market. Metal carts
are fabricated with one end at 45 to allow the cart to be tipped forward and the load removed. These carts come in
sizes from 5 to 8 cu. ft. Additional capacity can be obtained by making the cart sides from plywood. Larger diameter
wheels (often spoked) help these carts roll easily.

Cart handles are shaped like a flattened "U" for safety and convenient storage on a garage wall. Cart bodies that
fold up have additional space-saving advantages.

DUMP/TRAILER CARTS

Dump carts are pulled behind garden tractors and riding mowers (off-highway only). The smaller, 4 to 7 cu. ft., dump
cart is similar to hand carts and usually has a dumping mechanism located on the trailer towing bar or tongue. The cart
can usually be dumped by pulling a lanyard (rope), releasing the body from the tongue.

Tubular framed trucks are used to haul trash cans, packages, firewood, etc. Ranging from 100 to 400 lbs. Capacity,
trucks have either a solid metal toe plate or tubular shape to support the load. Handle styles include pin, safety,
continuous or upright.

Bag trucks or caddies perform similar functions as hand trucks with an important addition. A hoop holds plastic
trash bags with an elastic cord encircling the hoop. The hoop attaches to the frame at several heights to hold varying
sizes of lawn/trash bags. The bag rests on the toe plate or frame and may be transported from garden to garage.

Heavy-duty bags should be at least 1.5 mil. thick; most frequently sold sizes for yard work are 32- and 45-gal.

TRASH CAN CADDY

Constructed from steel or aluminum tubing or polyethylene, trash caddies carry two or three trash cans. Most are
designed for a specific can size, such as two 20-gal. cans. However, there are adjustable models to hold two of any
size metal or plastic trash cans.

WHEELBARROWS

Homeowner, light-duty wheelbarrows have shallow trays with 3-4 cu. ft. capacity. Tubular steel under- carriages are
easy to assemble. Several widths of semi-pneumatic tires are available. These wheelbarrows perform the same function as
lawn carts, but have only one wheel.

For heavier work, medium-duty barrows have deep front trays generally 4-4 1/2 cu. ft. A choice of under-carriage is
available-hardwood handles to support the tray or a one piece square tube frame. The legs are made from steel channel
or strap stock. The wheel and tire is wider than 3", usually fully pneumatic allowing the tire to roll easier. Diameter
of the tire is 14" or more. A "ball" type wheel can be found for use on rough or soft terrain.

For heaviest yard work and construction use, the contractor barrow has 4 1/2-6 cu. ft. tray with deep fronts for
added capacity and extra bracing. Trays are produced by folding and welding a piece of steel, by deep drawing for
seamless construction or from cross linked no-rust polyethylene. Handles are usually one piece hardwood or heavy-gauge
round steel tubing. Rugged channel legs and stamped braces add to long life. Wheels are stamped steel holding 16"
pneumatic tires.

SPREADERS

Lawn spreaders are a quick, efficient way to spread both seed and fertilizer.

Although spreaders have some construction differences, several characteristics are common to all:

Flow settings from fine for grass seed to coarse for fertilizer granules.

Hand control dials to adjust flow settings.

Variety of hopper capacities and spreading widths.

Spreaders are made with (1) steel hoppers with nickel stainless steel coatings on all operating parts, or (2)
hoppers of rust- and corrosion-resistant polyethylene that is not susceptible to scratches or dents.

Other differences include the shape of the hopper (drop or rotary), the dispensing mechanism (lever-, fan- or
wheel-type) and handling method (shoulder-carried, pushed or powered).

The size of the lawn is the determining factor in the type of spreader needed. Rotary spreaders are designed for
larger areas and offer the advantage of "feathering," eliminating sharply defined edges of spread.

For small areas, a drop spreader that dispenses with the pull of a hand lever is sufficient.

But for larger areas, a fan- or wheel-type mechanism is better. Seed and fertilizer are distributed by a fan or
wheel which is turned by a crank as the user pushes the spreader.

Although manual operation-pushing the spreader or carrying it on the shoulder-will satisfy most home needs, powered
units are available as are units with connections for garden tractors.

Quality construction features include heavy-duty chassis, steel wheel gearing, some means of locking the fiber into
the brush assembly, alternating fiber tufts to prevent fanning the debris back down onto the ground, simple adjustment
for brush height and angle of front shield, swivel casters under the hamper for maneuverability and durable canvas
construction of the hamper, weatherproofed to prevent mildew.

Another kind of sweeper uses brushes just like a hand carpet sweeper. Rather than clearing lawns, it sweeps
sidewalks, driveways and patios, picking up small stones, glass, sand, twigs and other debris. It empties just like a
hand carpet sweeper.

Another version of the sweeper is designed for cleaning indoor/outdoor carpeting-especially that used at poolside.
It will also clean any hard surface.

LAWN ROLLERS

Lawn rollers consist of a large hollow drum about 18"-24" in diameter, which can be filled or partially filled with
water depending on weight desired. These are usually rental items due to bulkiness and infrequent use-most homeowners
will use a roller, at best, only once a season.

Check your state and local codes before starting any project. Follow all safety precautions.
Information in this document has been furnished by the North American Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and
associated contributors. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and safety. Neither NRHA, any
contributor nor the retailer can be held responsible for damages or injuries resulting from the use of
the information in this document.

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